Help a newbie decide on a future endever with tangs

angry monkey · 06/13/2010, 05:27 PM

Hi everyone.
i'm currently doing research to start my new sw tank and i wanted to get a tang, but unfortunately i've read here that my 57gal tank wont cut it

although i have come accross an interesting thread
http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/sh...d.php?t=739380

In it, it has the bare requirements needed for a blue tang or yellow tang as 75gal
but further down SAT states
"Our recommendation remains that a yellow tang should be in at least a 4' long 75G tank"
My tank is only 57gal, but it is 4ft long
(total dimensions in inches L48xW14xH18)
will that provide enough swiming room for the tang giving that it's 4ft long?

Unfortunetly that tank will not (cant) be upgraded to a bigger one because i figure it's the maximum size that i can move as a renter....

hoffy02 · 06/13/2010, 05:44 PM

first of all welcome to reef central!!

I think you will get a bunch of mixed reviews on this question. Its a sensitive topic. I would think 4' is enough but what are your plans for live rock and coral? 14" front to back will be used up pretty quick cutting down on swimming room for a Tang, which they need/ prefer a whole lot of..

HTH

rayn · 06/13/2010, 05:45 PM

One possibilty you have is to find one at your local LFS and get it small with the ability to return when it grows to big for your tank.

khaosinc · 06/13/2010, 05:46 PM

The default answer is no, especially IMO in a newer tank. Tangs are open water swimmers and you would be amazed how fast a yellow tang can span a 10' tank even. They also like to graze around the rocks and such.

it *can* be done, but most would advise against it, especially being newer in the hobby.

lisafoster · 06/13/2010, 05:51 PM

57 gallon tank is too small even a 75 gallon is too small.There are lots of other cool fish out there.

hoffy02 · 06/13/2010, 05:56 PM

I forgot to add... MY opinion is your tank is too small.. It CAN be done but I dont think a tang would be happy at all.. I have a 6' 120 and I worry that my naso has already out grown it... only had him a few months..

Tuscaquatics · 06/13/2010, 06:01 PM

A yellow tang would probably be fine in a 4 foot tank, especially until he got real big. Ideally, though, a 75 gallon really is the minimum for a yellow. And like others said, that's still a minimum, and doesn't necessarily mean you're doing the right thing.

Nobody else really mentioned the issue of disease with tangs. You must, must, must QT any tang you get, especially a yellow. Due to the popularity of these guys, chances are, depending on your LFS, that that guy won't have been in their tanks for more than a day or two. He's gonna be stressed out and carrying ich.

If you just drop a tang in a relatively new tank, you're begging for trouble.

lisafoster · 06/13/2010, 06:05 PM

I have a 125 and I would not put a yellow in anything smaller unless you plane on rehoming him at some point.

rayn · 06/13/2010, 06:13 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tuscaquatics

A yellow tang would probably be fine in a 4 foot tank, especially until he got real big. Ideally, though, a 75 gallon really is the minimum for a yellow. And like others said, that's still a minimum, and doesn't necessarily mean you're doing the right thing.

Nobody else really mentioned the issue of disease with tangs. You must, must, must QT any tang you get, especially a yellow. Due to the popularity of these guys, chances are, depending on your LFS, that that guy won't have been in their tanks for more than a day or two. He's gonna be stressed out and carrying ich.

If you just drop a tang in a relatively new tank, you're begging for trouble.

DING DING DING, don't learn the hard way like I am right now

Tuscaquatics · 06/13/2010, 06:13 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by lisafoster

I have a 125 and I would not put a yellow in anything smaller unless you plane on rehoming him at some point.

While I'm not saying he should run out and get one, I still think you're in the minority. Many, many reefers keep yellow tangs in 4 foot tanks with great success.

Would 6 feet be better? Sure. Would 200 feet be better. Absolutely. Watch nature shows about reefs and examine how the tangs move about and graze the rocks. They travel in groups of hundreds, back and forth over hundreds of yards. In reality, no tank can come even remotely close to making a yellow tang feel at home.

But the yellow tang is one of only a couple of tangs that could ever really go in a 4 foot tank. Would I put a Sohal tang in there? No way.

As long as he has 4 feet of length and enough room to make a turn and take a lap the other way, he should be fine. That would exclude a 55, and a 75 would still be pushing it, unless you don't have a ton of rock. A 90 would be better.

lisafoster · 06/13/2010, 06:21 PM

A four foot 120 gallon would be a different four foot tank than a 57 gallon. I too don't think 6 feet is the magic number swimming space is just as important.

angry monkey · 06/13/2010, 07:29 PM

thanks guys, that helped me decide....
nope, not getting one....
lol
No fish store here would definenlty take it back once it got older.
and i definently would cram the space with a bit of live rock too and that would cut down his swimming space.
best saved for later

hoffy02 · 06/13/2010, 09:16 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by angry monkey

thanks guys, that helped me decide....
nope, not getting one....
lol
No fish store here would definenlty take it back once it got older.
and i definently would cram the space with a bit of live rock too and that would cut down his swimming space.
best saved for later

Good decision.. So few here actually take the advice they ask for.. GL..

sobes94 · 06/13/2010, 09:25 PM

AngryMonkey,

You live in Australia! Screw the tang you have a plethora of Aussie corals in your location. I would kill to live where you are. Just my $0.02.

angry monkey · 06/13/2010, 10:06 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by sobes94

AngryMonkey,

You live in Australia! Screw the tang you have a plethora of Aussie corals in your location. I would kill to live where you are. Just my $0.02.

lol, i thought someone might mention that...
whats really wierd though
theres not alot of lfs that sell sw
nearest place to me that sells corals is almost 1hr and a half away

sobes94 · 06/13/2010, 10:55 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by angry monkey

lol, i thought someone might mention that...
whats really wierd though
theres not alot of lfs that sell sw
nearest place to me that sells corals is almost 1hr and a half away

Wow that's no good. Can't you just go diving for corals? I don't know all the rules/regulations but I'm sure you could harvest some frags. I would first check all the laws there is probably a certain amount maybe a license you need to get.

angry monkey · 06/14/2010, 12:55 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by sobes94

Wow that's no good. Can't you just go diving for corals? I don't know all the rules/regulations but I'm sure you could harvest some frags. I would first check all the laws there is probably a certain amount maybe a license you need to get.

don't know,
but i'm probably not going to have corals for awhile anyways, so i'll look into it then....
systems only gonna start with a FOWLR and then ill move from there once the tank matures

hoffy02 · 06/14/2010, 03:28 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by angry monkey

don't know,
but i'm probably not going to have corals for awhile anyways, so i'll look into it then....
systems only gonna start with a FOWLR and then ill move from there once the tank matures

Famous last words of a fool.....

lisafoster · 06/14/2010, 05:12 AM

You are smart to be asking advice I usually make a decision I later regret then I ask for advice on how to fix it

Floowid · 06/14/2010, 01:08 PM

I have a yellow tang living happily in a 75 gallon tank. I just upgraded recently from a 37 gallon tank, which the tang was also living happily in. Before the tang police get me, I will say that I put the tang in the 37 when he was tiny, and set my goal to upgrade the tank he was in when it got too small for him. It got too small. I already have plans in the works for a much larger tank now, and it will be upgraded long before the yellow outgrows the 75.

angry monkey · 06/14/2010, 01:15 PM

Unfortunately for me floowed, that tank can't be upgraded

I'm a renter, rental accomadation is not as permanent when ur 25
I have to be able to move the tank and that size is what I think we can cope with if a move happens

Floowid · 06/14/2010, 03:15 PM

I wouldn't feel bad about putting a small yellow tang in your 57 if you had plans of moving him to a bigger tank in the next year. I sat and looked at my 37 gallon for over 4 years wishing I had a tang in it, but it wasn't until I knew an upgrade was on the horizon that I put the little yellow in there. If a 57 is all you see in the near future, I would keep tangs out of it

(On a side note, I am looking at my 75 wishing a Blue tang was in there, but I won't get one until I know the 300DeepDimension is coming soon)

sobes94 · 06/14/2010, 04:04 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Floowid

I wouldn't feel bad about putting a small yellow tang in your 57 if you had plans of moving him to a bigger tank in the next year. I sat and looked at my 37 gallon for over 4 years wishing I had a tang in it, but it wasn't until I knew an upgrade was on the horizon that I put the little yellow in there. If a 57 is all you see in the near future, I would keep tangs out of it

(On a side note, I am looking at my 75 wishing a Blue tang was in there, but I won't get one until I know the 300DeepDimension is coming soon)

Assmuing that he does in fact upgrade but I still wouldn't do it. Why even chance it??

06/13/2010, 05:27 PM	#1
angry monkey Registered Member Join Date: Jun 2010 Location: casino nsw australia Posts: 8	Help a newbie decide on a future endever with tangs Hi everyone. i'm currently doing research to start my new sw tank and i wanted to get a tang, but unfortunately i've read here that my 57gal tank wont cut it although i have come accross an interesting thread http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/sh...d.php?t=739380 In it, it has the bare requirements needed for a blue tang or yellow tang as 75gal but further down SAT states "Our recommendation remains that a yellow tang should be in at least a 4' long 75G tank" My tank is only 57gal, but it is 4ft long (total dimensions in inches L48xW14xH18) will that provide enough swiming room for the tang giving that it's 4ft long? Unfortunetly that tank will not (cant) be upgraded to a bigger one because i figure it's the maximum size that i can move as a renter....

06/13/2010, 05:45 PM	#3
rayn Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2010 Location: Pekin, Il Posts: 2,864	One possibilty you have is to find one at your local LFS and get it small with the ability to return when it grows to big for your tank. __________________ Currently changing, stay tuned for new details...

06/13/2010, 05:46 PM	#4
khaosinc The cyborg reefer Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: NW Washington state Posts: 2,345	The default answer is no, especially IMO in a newer tank. Tangs are open water swimmers and you would be amazed how fast a yellow tang can span a 10' tank even. They also like to graze around the rocks and such. it can be done, but most would advise against it, especially being newer in the hobby. __________________ Disclaimer: I have not yet figured out how to install a breathalizer on my computer. Current Tank Info: It's all torn down... someday I might rebuild.

06/13/2010, 09:25 PM	#14
sobes94 Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: New Jersey Posts: 94	AngryMonkey, You live in Australia! Screw the tang you have a plethora of Aussie corals in your location. I would kill to live where you are. Just my $0.02. __________________ "Scientific truth is too beautiful to be sacrificed for the sake of light entertainment or money. Astrology is an aesthetic affront. It cheapens astronomy, like using Beethoven for commercial jingles." -Richard Dawkins

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06/13/2010, 05:44 PM	#2
hoffy02 Moved On Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: Crosby, TX. Posts: 399	first of all welcome to reef central!! I think you will get a bunch of mixed reviews on this question. Its a sensitive topic. I would think 4' is enough but what are your plans for live rock and coral? 14" front to back will be used up pretty quick cutting down on swimming room for a Tang, which they need/ prefer a whole lot of.. HTH

06/13/2010, 05:51 PM	#5
lisafoster so much to learn Join Date: May 2010 Location: massachusetts Posts: 621	57 gallon tank is too small even a 75 gallon is too small.There are lots of other cool fish out there.

06/13/2010, 05:56 PM	#6
hoffy02 Moved On Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: Crosby, TX. Posts: 399	I forgot to add... MY opinion is your tank is too small.. It CAN be done but I dont think a tang would be happy at all.. I have a 6' 120 and I worry that my naso has already out grown it... only had him a few months..

06/13/2010, 06:01 PM	#7
Tuscaquatics Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: Tuscaloosa, AL Posts: 1,324	A yellow tang would probably be fine in a 4 foot tank, especially until he got real big. Ideally, though, a 75 gallon really is the minimum for a yellow. And like others said, that's still a minimum, and doesn't necessarily mean you're doing the right thing. Nobody else really mentioned the issue of disease with tangs. You must, must, must QT any tang you get, especially a yellow. Due to the popularity of these guys, chances are, depending on your LFS, that that guy won't have been in their tanks for more than a day or two. He's gonna be stressed out and carrying ich. If you just drop a tang in a relatively new tank, you're begging for trouble.

06/13/2010, 06:05 PM	#8
lisafoster so much to learn Join Date: May 2010 Location: massachusetts Posts: 621	I have a 125 and I would not put a yellow in anything smaller unless you plane on rehoming him at some point.

06/13/2010, 06:21 PM	#11
lisafoster so much to learn Join Date: May 2010 Location: massachusetts Posts: 621	A four foot 120 gallon would be a different four foot tank than a 57 gallon. I too don't think 6 feet is the magic number swimming space is just as important.

06/13/2010, 07:29 PM	#12
angry monkey Registered Member Join Date: Jun 2010 Location: casino nsw australia Posts: 8	thanks guys, that helped me decide.... nope, not getting one.... lol No fish store here would definenlty take it back once it got older. and i definently would cram the space with a bit of live rock too and that would cut down his swimming space. best saved for later

06/14/2010, 05:12 AM	#19
lisafoster so much to learn Join Date: May 2010 Location: massachusetts Posts: 621	You are smart to be asking advice I usually make a decision I later regret then I ask for advice on how to fix it

06/14/2010, 01:08 PM	#20
Floowid Registered Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Centerville, UT Posts: 712	I have a yellow tang living happily in a 75 gallon tank. I just upgraded recently from a 37 gallon tank, which the tang was also living happily in. Before the tang police get me, I will say that I put the tang in the 37 when he was tiny, and set my goal to upgrade the tank he was in when it got too small for him. It got too small. I already have plans in the works for a much larger tank now, and it will be upgraded long before the yellow outgrows the 75.

06/14/2010, 01:15 PM	#21
angry monkey Registered Member Join Date: Jun 2010 Location: casino nsw australia Posts: 8	Unfortunately for me floowed, that tank can't be upgraded I'm a renter, rental accomadation is not as permanent when ur 25 I have to be able to move the tank and that size is what I think we can cope with if a move happens

06/14/2010, 03:15 PM	#22
Floowid Registered Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Centerville, UT Posts: 712	I wouldn't feel bad about putting a small yellow tang in your 57 if you had plans of moving him to a bigger tank in the next year. I sat and looked at my 37 gallon for over 4 years wishing I had a tang in it, but it wasn't until I knew an upgrade was on the horizon that I put the little yellow in there. If a 57 is all you see in the near future, I would keep tangs out of it (On a side note, I am looking at my 75 wishing a Blue tang was in there, but I won't get one until I know the 300DeepDimension is coming soon)